AKP Phnom Penh, February 10, 2025 —

Thailand and China have reinforced their agricultural trade partnership following high-level discussions between Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Narumon Pinyosinwat and Chinese officials in Beijing. The meeting revolved around key export opportunities, including expanding market access for Thai fruits, fisheries, and livestock. Both sides agreed to strengthen trade routes, improve food safety compliance, and streamline import processes to support Thailand’s agricultural sector.

China remains Thailand’s largest agricultural export market, with fruits such as durians, mangosteens, and mangoes accounting for the highest trade volumes. Thai fruits currently make up 58% of China’s total fruit imports, with durians alone holding over a 50% market share. General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) officials recently commended Thailand’s quality control efforts, which have enhanced the credibility of Thai agricultural products in the Chinese market. Discussions also addressed expanding market access for salacca and dates, with Chinese inspectors set to assess Thai farms and packaging facilities by mid-2025.

The two countries are also advancing livestock trade agreements. Negotiations are underway for the export of live cattle and buffalo products, with plans to transport cattle via the Mekong River to China’s Guanlei Port. Thailand is working to finalize sanitary and inspection protocols to facilitate these exports, ensuring compliance with Chinese regulations. Further talks with the China Agriculture Wholesale Market Association (CAWA) focused on increasing Thai exports of durians, shrimp, and bird’s nest products, which are seeing rising demand in China.

A major breakthrough was reached in fisheries exports, with Thailand and China signing a protocol allowing barramundi (Asian sea bass) to enter the Chinese market. This agreement makes barramundi the first farmed aquatic product approved under the new trade framework, with projected annual exports exceeding 50,000 metric tonnes and a market value of 4.9 billion baht.

AKP-NNT